Master’s in Sustainable CMF Engineering and Bio-Materials
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in sustainable CMF and biomaterials engineering, structured in 12 modules covering biomaterials and the bioeconomy, biopolymers, natural fibres and composites, emerging materials, recycled materials, sustainable colour and finish, environmental assessment, performance testing, regulation, design for circularity and innovation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Distinguish between bio-based, biodegradable and compostable biomaterials.
Select biopolymers and natural fibre composites for products.
Critically evaluate emerging materials and their scalability.
Design sustainable finishes free of problematic substances.
Quantify environmental impact through LCA.
Apply European ecodesign and green claims regulations.
Design circular and mono-material products.
Who it's for
- CMF designers focused on sustainability.
- Biomaterials engineers.
- Circular economy consultants.
- LCA specialists.
- Materials innovation managers.
- Environmental certification technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- EN 16785-1:2015 (bio-based content determination using radiocarbon analysis)
- EN 13432:2000 (requirements for packaging recoverable through composting)
- ISO 14044:2006 (life cycle assessment: requirements and guidelines)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR) (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation)
- Directive (EU) 2019/904 (reduction of the impact of certain plastic products)
- Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 (EU Ecolabel)
- ISO 16620-2:2019 (plastics: determination of biobased carbon content)
- SimaPro
- openLCA
- Ansys Granta Selector
- KeyShot
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The circular bioeconomy and the European strategy1.2Classification of biomaterials1.3Bio-based versus biodegradable1.4Bio-based content under EN 16785-11.5Second-generation feedstocks1.6Land use and competition with food1.7Biomass supply chains1.8ISCC PLUS certification and mass balance1.9Market size and prices1.10Case study: map of a manufacturer's bio-suppliers
2.1Polylactic acid (PLA) and its limitations2.2Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from bacterial fermentation2.3Drop-in bio-PE and bio-PET2.4Bio-based polyamides PA11 and PA10102.5Thermoplastic starches2.6Cellulose acetates and derivatives2.7Lignin as a functional material2.8Bio-based additives and plasticisers2.9Processing by injection moulding and extrusion2.10Laboratory: injection moulding of reinforced PLA parts
3.1Flax and hemp fibres3.2Kenaf, jute and sisal3.3Technical and laminated bamboo3.4Natural fibre composites3.5Fibre-matrix adhesion and treatments3.6Mechanical properties and scatter3.7Moisture absorption and durability3.8Door panels and parcel shelves3.9Bio-based resins for composites3.10Practical exercise: flax and bio-based resin panel
4.1Grown mycelium materials4.2Fungi-based leather alternatives4.3Plant-based leathers from cactus and pineapple4.4Bioplastics from algae4.5Coffee grounds and husks4.6Bacterial cellulose and biofabrication4.7Industrial scale-up of biomaterials4.8Real durability versus promise4.9Composition and synthetic binders4.10Workshop: evaluation of plant-based leather alternatives
5.1Post-consumer recycled plastics5.2Polyamide from recovered fishing nets5.3Recycled PET in textiles5.4Fibre-to-fibre textile recycling5.5Recycled leather composites5.6Recycled and low-carbon aluminium5.7Quality and consistency of recyclates5.8Odour and emissions of recyclates5.9Traceability with GRS certification5.10Case study: interior with 30% recycled content
6.1Waterborne and low-VOC paints6.2Pigments free of heavy metals6.3Natural dyes and their limitations6.4Mass dyeing of polymers6.5Unpainted parts with integrated colour6.6Mould textures versus coatings6.7Chrome-free and vegetable tanning6.8Bio-based coatings6.9Green chemistry and PFAS substances6.10Practical exercise: unpainted parts strategy
7.1LCA of biomaterials under ISO 140447.2Biogenic carbon footprint7.3End-of-life scenarios7.4Biodegradability and its verification7.5Compostability under EN 134327.6Microplastics and fibre release7.7Water footprint of raw materials7.8Impact on biodiversity and soil7.9ecoinvent databases and tools7.10Laboratory: comparative LCA in SimaPro
8.1UV ageing of biomaterials8.2Resistance to fungi and mould8.3Dimensional stability with humidity8.4Odour and emissions of bio-based materials8.5Scratch and wear resistance8.6Mechanical properties after ageing8.7Flammability of natural materials8.8Colour fastness tests8.9Adapted validation plans8.10Workshop: validation plan for a plant-based leather
9.1ESPR Ecodesign Regulation 2024/17819.2Digital product passport9.3Green Claims Directive9.4EU Ecolabel9.5Cradle to Cradle certification9.6Compostability certifications9.7Chemical restrictions on biomaterials9.8Single-Use Plastics Directive9.9Extended producer responsibility9.10Case study: audit of a product's green claims
10.1Mono-material design strategies10.2Design for rapid disassembly10.3Repairability and the repair index10.4Modularity and upgradeability10.5Emotional durability of the product10.6Remanufacturing of components10.7Reverse logistics and recovery10.8Circular business models10.9MCI circularity indicators10.10Practical exercise: mono-material redesign of a product
11.1The biomaterials start-up ecosystem11.2Collaboration with universities and research centres11.3Co-development with suppliers11.4Scaling from laboratory to series production11.5Costs and the green premium11.6Supply and quality risks11.7User acceptance11.8Honest sustainability narrative11.9Technology watch on materials11.10Workshop: biomaterials roadmap for a brand
12.1Selection of the starting product12.2Environmental diagnosis of the current product12.3Exploration of biomaterials12.4Sustainable CMF proposal12.5Prototypes and material samples12.6Selected performance tests12.7Comparative LCA of the proposal12.8Industrialisation and communication plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SimaPro, openLCA, Ansys Granta Selector and KeyShot, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: prototyping of parts with biopolymers and natural fibres, ageing and humidity testing of biomaterials, and comparative life cycle assessment. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 16785-1:2015, EN 13432:2000, ISO 14044:2006, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), Directive (EU) 2019/904, Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 and ISO 16620-2:2019.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SimaPro, openLCA, Ansys Granta Selector and KeyShot, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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